Process and apparatus for producing fiber from palm leaves



Oct. 23,1923. 1,471,535

A. O. TANNENBERG PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FIBER FROM PALM LEAVES Filed May 24, 1921 Zlwuantoz elk/Young,

Patented Get. 23, 1923.

AUBUST O. TANNENBERG, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FIBER FROM PALM: LEAVES.

Application filed May 24, 1921'. Serial No. 472,052.

which my invention is illustrated and which forms a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a side view of my apparatus.

Figure 2 is a plan View of my apparatus showing a palm leaf being split to produce fiber.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a palm leaf before it is split by my process and apparatus.

Figure 4 is a plan viewof a palm leaf split by my process and apparatus into fiber.

Figure 5 is a side view of a broom made of the palm leaf fiber produced by my process and apparatus.

Figure 6 is a side view of a brush made of the palm leaf fiber produced by my process and apparatus. 1.

In the drawing 1 indicates a base near one .end of which is secured a standard 2 and on which are secured plates 3 and 4 of soft material such as leather. A lever 5 is fulcrumed at one end to the upper end of standard 2 by a pivot 6, on the other end of which lever is a handle 7. A set of knives 8, welded or otherwise secured parallel together are clamped by a clamp 9 to one side of the lever 5 at right'angles thereto so that said knives rest vertically over the plate 3 when said lever is in a horizontal position with the lower cutting edges of the knives engaging said plate. A set of parallel knives 10, spaced apart by blocks 11, are vclamped together with said blocks, by a clamp 12 to the same side of the lever 5 to which the knives 8 are clamped, at right angles to said lever so that said knives rest vertically over the plate 4 when the lever is in a horizontal position, with the lower edges of theknives engaging said plate The clamp 9' is secured to the lever'5 by screws 13 and the clamp. 12 is secured tov said lever by screws 14:. The knives 8 are spaced close together for splitting thin fibers while the knives 10 are spaced further apart to split coarser fibers. The knives may be spaced at different distances apart for splitting fibers of different thickness by blocks of different thickness. 7 I

In operation the lever 5 is held by the handle 7 in horizontal position with the lower edges of the knives 8 and'lO against the plates 3 and 4. respectively, and the palm leaves 15 are drawn over the plates between said knives and split, producing the fibers as shown in F igure'2. The fibers may be used in brooms and brushes as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and in many other useful articles.

The fibers are better split when green, but I if they are hard and stiff they may be easily 7 split if soaked in water for about one day. The fibers are best bent and put into shape while damp, and when they are dry they are ready for use. The fibers will stand acid, turpentine, oil, lye, hot or cold water and may be boiled foran hour without losing their shape. If the fibers are bent, outof shape they may be straightened upon wetting them and hanging them up to dry, after which they are as good as ever. v

Having described my invention, I claim: In combination, a base, a lever fulcrumed above the base, plates of soft material on the base and knives on the lever detachably secured to the same, the ends of the said knives being adapted to be brought into con tact with the of the lever. V

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

AUGUST O/TANNENBERG. i

plates of soft material by means 

